Recognition of Depression in Patients with Diabetes: A Literature Review
Open Access
- Author:
- Seitz, Kelly Brenna
- Area of Honors:
- Nursing
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Dr. Carol A Smith, Thesis Supervisor
Dr. Carol A Smith, Thesis Supervisor
Donna Marie Fick, Thesis Honors Advisor - Keywords:
- depression
diabetes
recognition
nursing
comorbidity - Abstract:
- A literature review was conducted to explore the recognition of depression in patients with diabetes. Articles were obtained from PubMed, PsycINFO, and CINAHL databases. The results of these studies were compared to answer the following questions: 1) what is the current level of recognition of depression by physicians and nurses in patients with type 1 and/or type 2 diabetes? 2) What screening methods for depression are being used for patients with diabetes and how reliable are they? 3) What are the barriers to recognition? 4) In particular, what patient characteristics lead to the under-recognition of depression in this population? 5) Also, what situational variables lead to the under-recognition of depression in this population? Recognition rates were relatively low (between 20% and 86%). Nine screening tools were analyzed in studies, with the BDI and PHQ being the most widely used. Women are less likely to be assessed for depression than men but have higher rates of depression than men. More depressed women were likely to be young, unmarried, cigarette smokers, and less likely to be physically active and alcohol drinkers. Brief visits between the patient and primary care provider limit the extent of information ascertained per session. If the patient does not actively divulge information related to depression, the topic is often not discussed. Also, there are usually several medical explanations for the clinical manifestations of depression. Physicians feel that diabetes is a complicated disease that is more challenging to treat than other illnesses.